Bereshis 17:24

24 And Avraham was ninety shanah and nine, when he was circumcised in the basar of his arelah.

Bereshis 17:24 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 17:24

And Abraham [was] ninety years old and nine
See ( Genesis 17:1 ) . This circumstance of his age is observed the more to commend his faith and obedience, that though he was an old man, he did not consider his age, or make that an objection; that he was unable to bear the pain, or it would be shameful for a man of his years to be uncovered before his servants:

when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin;
who circumcised him is not said, very probably Eliezer his head servant: the Jews, who affect to know everything, say ^F21, that he sent for Shem, the son of Noah, who circumcised him and his son Ishmael; but it is most likely that Ishmael was circumcised by Abraham himself, as seems from ( Genesis 17:23 ) ; and Abraham might circumcise himself, as Ben Melech thinks.

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 Pirke Eliezer, c. 29.

Bereshis 17:24 In-Context

22 And He left off speaking with him, and Elohim went up from Avraham.

23 And Avraham took Yishmael bno, and all that were born in his bais, and all that were bought with his kesef, every zachar among the men of Avraham’s bais; and circumcised the basar of their arelah in the very same day, as Elohim had said unto him.

24 And Avraham was ninety shanah and nine, when he was circumcised in the basar of his arelah.

25 And Yishmael bno was thirteen shanah, when he was circumcised in the basar of his arelah (foreskin).

26 In the very same day was Avraham circumcised, and Yishmael bno.